The Blakiston’s Fish Owl (Ketupa blakistoni) at north-eastern limits of its range

New data on the distribution were the reported: Buksendya river (153º15’E, 59º12’N), Yama valley (152º59’E, 60º00’N) and Nayakhan river (158º15’E, 62º33’N), mostly single birds in late summer, autumn or early winter. Resident breeding pairs regularly occur only in the Chelomdzha and further to the west – in Inya and Ulbeya valleys, and upper heads of the Kava valley (Fig. 1). New observations in the Inya valley (July-August 1999) and in the Chelomdzha valley (July 2003) have proved that the Blakiston’s Fish Owl dwells in lush flood-plain woods along the middle and lower streams of both of these valleys. Currently, the Blakiston’s Fish Owl steadily occurs within the limits of Kava-Chelomdza forestry of the Magadansky State Reserve (Tarkhov & Potapov 1986), and, most likely, the Chelomdzha valley forms currently the north-eastern limit of the species range. In the Chelomdzha valley the regular duet singing of the Blakiston’s Fish Owl begins from early February. Usually the birds display in the evenings, 20-40 min after sunset. The longevity of evening vocalizations increases from 3-5 min in first week of February to 30-50 min in mid-March. The intervals between strophes vary from 14-55 s, 27 s on average (n = 48). The chicks hatched between 2nd and 5th of May. Daytime hours the parents spend nearby the nest in the crowns of larches. During intense chick’s growth the parents visit the nest 4-5 times in a night. Search for food and hunting takes from 40-60 min. According to photo documents, the parents feed the chicks with sculpins and graylings (18–30 cm in length). The parents spend midnight hours nearby the nest. Becoming 50 days old the chicks leave the nest and roams around supervised by the parents.Neue Erkenntnisse zur Verbreitung und Brutbiologie des Fischuhus (Ketupa blakistoni) an der nordöstlichen Arealgrenze werden hier dargestellt. Im Buksendya- (153º15’E, 59º12’N), Yama- (152º59’E, 60º00’N) und Nayakhan-Flusstal (158º15’E, 62º33’N) lebten meist Einzelvögel im Spätsommer, Herbst und Frühwinter. Brutpaare siedelten an Chelomdzha und westlich an Inya, Kava und Ulbeya. Neue Beobachtungen an Inya (Juli-August 1999) und Chelomdzha (Juli 2003) bestätigten ein regelmäßiges Vorkommen an Mittel- und Unterläufen. In den Wäldern des Kava-Chelomdza im Magadansky State Reserves kam die Art regelmäßig vor (Tarkhov & Potapov 1986). Das Chelomdzha-Flusstal bildet wahrscheinlich die nordöstliche Arealgrenze. Im Duett singende Partner wurden ab Anfang Februar gehört, meist 20-40 Min. nach Sonnenuntergang. Die Gesangsdauer nahm von 3-5 Min. Anfang Februar auf 30-50 Min. Mitte März zu. Die Pausen zwischen den Strophen schwankten zwischen 14-55 Sek. (Mittel: 27 Sek., n = 48). Jungvögel schlüpften zwischen dem 2. und 5. Mai. Die Eltern saßen tagsüber in Nestnähe in Lärchenkronen. Während der größten Wachstumsrate der Jungvögel wurden vier- bis fünfmal pro Nacht Fische von 18-30 cm Länge gefüttert. Die Mitternachtsstunden verbrachten die Eltern in Nestnähe. Nach 50 Tagen verließen die Jungen das Nest und wurden weiter von den Eltern betreut

GigaGauss solenoidal magnetic field inside of bubbles excited in under-dense plasma

Magnetic fields have a crucial role in physics at all scales, from astrophysics to nanoscale phenomena. Large fields, constant or pulsed, allow investigation of material in extreme conditions, opening up plethora of practical applications based on ultra-fast process, and studying phenomena existing only in exotic astro-objects like neutron stars or pulsars. Magnetic fields are indispensable in particle accelerators, for guiding the relativistic particles along a curved trajectory and for making them radiate in synchrotron light sources and in free electron lasers. In the presented paper we propose a novel and effective method for generating solenoidal quasi-static magnetic field on the GigaGauss level and beyond, in under-dense plasma, using screw-shaped high intensity laser pulses. In comparison with already known techniques which typically rely on interaction with over-dense or solid targets, where radial or toroidal magnetic field localized at the stationary target were generated, our method allows to produce gigantic solenoidal fields, which is co-moving with the driving laser pulse and collinear with accelerated electrons. The solenoidal field is quasi-stationary in the reference frame of the laser pulse and can be used for guiding electron beams and providing synchrotron radiation beam emittance cooling for laser-plasma accelerated electron and positron beams, opening up novel opportunities for designs of the light sources, free electron lasers, and high energy colliders based on laser plasma acceleration.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures. Main text (without abstract, References and Appendix): 12 page

Topaz concentrate desiliconization with ammonium bifluoride

Fluoridizing agent for the process of topaz concentrate desiliconization has been selected, topaz thermodynamic potentials have been appraised, thermodynamic probabilities of fluorination reaction of topaz concentrate main constituents have been calculated. The results of studying the concentrate desiliconization process with ammonium bifluoride by the methods of thermogravimetry, RFA, microphotography are presente

Investigation of dilatancy in block-structured geological medium on the base of movable cellular automaton method

The peculiarities of dilatancy processes in block-structured media that experience nonequiaxial compression under shear deformation are investigated using movable cellular automaton (MCA) method. For a characteristic of compression nonequiaxiality (also termed the degree of constraint) a dimensionless parameter – the lateral to normal pressure ratio in the deformation plane – used. The main objective of the work is to trace the sequence in which various dilatancy mechanisms are involved in deformation depending on the level of shear stress and degree of constraint. It is shown that in the block-structured medium an increase in the degree of constraint causes the dominating dilatation mechanism to change from slip of discontinuity surfaces to opening and expansion of pores. The dominating dilatancy mechanism changing because increasing the degree of constraint increases the threshold shear stress at which the slip is activated. Beginning with certain lateral pressures, the slip is impeded giving way to expansion of the pore space; however, the latter fails to provide so considerable volume change as the slip of contact surfaces does, and this decrease critical dilatation characteristics of the medium and, in particular, its dilatation coefficient and volume changing

GigaGauss solenoidal magnetic field inside bubbles excited in under-dense plasma

This paper proposes a novel and effective method for generating GigaGauss level, solenoidal quasi-static magnetic fields in under-dense plasma using screw-shaped high intensity laser pulses. This method produces large solenoidal fields that move with the driving laser pulse and are collinear with the accelerated electrons. This is in contrast with already known techniques which rely on interactions with over-dense or solid targets and generates radial or toroidal magnetic field localized at the stationary target. The solenoidal field is quasi-stationary in the reference frame of the laser pulse and can be used for guiding electron beams. It can also provide synchrotron radiation beam emittance cooling for laser-plasma accelerated electron and positron beams, opening up novel opportunities for designs of the light sources, free electron lasers, and high energy colliders based on laser plasma acceleration

Ecology and Behaviour of the Black-Billed Capercaillie (\u3ci\u3eTetrao urogalloides stegmanni\u3c/i\u3e) in the Khentej Mountains, Mongolia

Introduction A common inhabitant of East Siberian larch forests, the Siberian or black-billed capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) ranges south to the limits of the boreal forests in the northern Mongolian mountains and east to the very coast of the Asian continent (KLAUS et al. 1989). Tetrao urogalloides MIDDENDORF (1851) has priority over T. parvirostris BONAPARTE (1856). Therefore, we prefer the T. urogalloides. The subspecies T.u. stegmanni was first described on the basis of morphological differences by POTAPOV (1985) using specimens collected during Russian expeditions by KOZLOVA (1930). This description was based on 18 males in the collection at the Zoological Institute of Sankt Peterburg. Compared to the nominate and the Kamtschatkan subspecies, the males are larger, of generally darker plumage with a longer, wedge-shaped tail and many lateral white spots on the belly, resembling the Siberian spruce grouse (Falcipennis falcipennis). However, knowledge of the ecology and behavior of this subspecies living at the southernmost edge of its range is very limited (NADLER, WIESNER in KLAUS et al. 1989, BOLD 1984). To expand this knowledge, we carried out field work over three weeks including the “high season” of display (when females appeared on the lek) in the Gorchij-Terelsh National Park in the Khentej Mountains. The field work included photo and video recordings. We describe the aggressive and the courtship behavior of the Mongolian subspecies as well as the properties of the habitat in the Khentej Mountains. We compare our findings with our earlier studies of the nominate form T. u. urogalloides in the Magadan region (62° N) by ANDREEV (1975, 1977, 1979, 2002), KLAUS et al. (1989) and KLAUS & ANDREEV (2001). Summary During one field season (29 April – 20 May 2011) territorial and courtship behavior of the black-billed capercaillie at one lek (6 males, 3 females) was studied 150 km north-east of Ulan-Bataar in the Gorchij-Terelsh National Park. The lek was found in an old-growth forest of Siberian larch, only 200 m from the southern edge of the forest with transition to open grassland, where the birds preferred to feed on the first shoots of grass and forbs. The first female was visiting the arena on 3 May, copulations occurred on 7, 8 and 9 May. Fighting between males was observed 4 times. One serious combat was documented and described. In contrast to common capercaillie, aggression between females was never observed. The milder climate and often missing snow cover allowed the birds much earlier to feed on ground vegetation and copulations occurred one week earlier as in the Magadan region. The protection of old-growth forest is basic for conservation of the Mongolian subspecies of T. urogalloides

Studying the utilization techniques of ammonium hexafluorosilicate

The utilization techniques of ammonium hexafluorosilicate have been proposed and studied. Thermodynamic calculations of equilibrium gas phase compositions of topaz concentrate fluoridation reaction and reaction of (NH4)2SiF6 absorption by ammonium hydroxide were given. Experimental investigations in studying gas phase composition were carried out. The sublimation process of ammonium hexafluorosilicate as well as the process of its dissolving in ammonia water with silicon dioxide obtaining was studie

Investigation of the microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal stability of nanocomposite coatings based on amorphous carbon

The Ti-C-Ni-Cr and Ti-C-Ni-Cr-Al-Si nanocomposite coatings based on amorphous carbon and the nanosized particles were synthesized by magnetron method. The results of the microstructure features and mechanical properties investigations of these coatings are presented. The thermal stability of microstructure and properties of these coatings at tempering up to 900°C were investigated. These coatings have a high (11–18 GPa) hardness, low (μ < 0.2) the coefficient of friction and high thermal stability of the microstructure and properties up to 700°C. The features of elastically stressed state of nanosized particles in these coatings were founded. A high local internal stresses in the TiC nanoscale particles do not observed